Rockford power company building burns to ground

ROCKFORD — A storage building belonging to ComEd caught fire late Saturday and is described as a total loss.

Firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire at 11:19 p.m.

A large storage facility at 123 Energy Ave. was on fire when they arrived, according to a report from the Rockford Fire Department.

The building contained tools, construction equipment and wire, said ComEd spokesman Paul Callighan. The company has several other buildings at that location, none of which sustained any damage.

“The fire was spotted by one of our overnight crews,” Callighan said. “They saw the fire coming from the building and called the fire department.”

Callighan commended fire crews for their fast response and ability to keep the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings that house the utility provider’s offices, training facilities and transportation garages.

Firefighters fought the blaze for five hours but did not enter the building for safety reasons pertaining to structure’s stability.

Company officials will be evaluating the loss Monday, Callighan said. The loss of the storage building will cause no interruption to service or operations.